Chapter 18: Filthy Rich
Hiruzen looked at the month's council with a hint of amusem*nt. It was like Mito Uzumaki to pull a crazy stunt when not expected. Others think that she's some genius political leader but Hiruzen's Sensei, the Lord Second who also happened to be Mito's Brother-in-law confided in him that Mito has always been crazy... she just MADE crazy work after learning from her mistakes. But Hiruzen didn't mind as there was a proxy from the Yamanaka clan, Akimichi Clan, and the Hyuga Clan, too.
The problem was that an Elder's proxy, no less the oldest and the most fierce of the four... happened to be a five-year-old boy whose legs didn't even reach the floor while sitting on his chair.
Tsunade looked away, blushing in shame. This wasn't even a matter of embarrassing herself but everyone's weird gazes made Tsunade want to dig a hole and just return to mother earth.
"What is the meaning of this?" Kai looked sideways at the most peculiar of the elder. The man had half his face in bandages and even the scar on his chin had a dramatic X-shaped flare. It lacked two more X's and the man would be a shinobi pimp in no time.
Hiruzen smiled, "Although unusual, there has never been a rule on who can be sent to proxy as long as they are part of the Shinobi structure." He nodded at the boy in an attempt to reassure him. This month... Hiruzen was pleased with Kai. Quite rightly. First, he was a little cautious that the boy's apathy toward blood may cause some problems but when he began to happily accept D-rank missions and even cheerily returned the next day for more, the reports showing his sincerity and obedience... all of it made Hiruzen feel giddy.
Kai and Minato. No matter if Kai was part of the Uzumaki and Senju, he is still of Konoha. Minato, too, had a deep loyalty to the village. Both of them were at the top of their class and while they were in a fierce contest during the first half of the Academy, Kai rightly dominated the second half. The only deficit would be his chakra capacity but given how he is still growing, it would be of no matter soon enough.
Danzo growled himself to shut up as the Hokage stared him down. Hiruzen then continued with a few idle discussions, actually taking time to inform Kai what a few things meant as the other clan heads and proxy began to take another glance at the boy. Hiruzen was of the thought that Mito wanted to develop another representative for the Uzumaki clan and the idea pleased him greatly.
Kushina would inherit Mito's 'strength' and Kai would inherit her status. This could actually help the village grow further if a talented shinobi had a base to grow on.
Finally, Hiruzen broached a certain topic hanging in his head.
"Tsunade, I noticed a few things that have been troubling me over the month and I hope you can clear a few of my doubts."
"Sure thing, Sensei," Tsunade shrugged with a smile.
"Hmm, can you tell me why all the civilian merchants of the Senju clan have been brought back within the compound and instead, have set D-rank missions for the Genin Corps to take care of these businesses?"
Others stiffened and Danzo's gaze narrowed slightly as Tsunade offhandedly offered, "Well, I know that the village will need all the funds they can acquire. By bringing my clansmen spread out in the Land of Fire, the Senju Clan is funding the genins of the genin corp before the war. Ah, Kai-kun, we're about to go to war. Whoops, cat's out of the bag, huh," she chuckled and continued before Danzo interrupted, "Sensei, you will notice that the rewards offered by the Senju Clan are 3 higher than usual. This adds to the cut that the administration takes for the village funds and in due time, the village authorities will have accumulated slightly greater funds."
Hiruzen blinked while Danzo had trouble controlling his reaction.
In reality, not all Senju despite their blood are shinobi but the civilians are the bloodline of the clan. Not only do they provide the clan with income but they also aspire for a few of their children to become shinobi and contribute greatly to this... but they are spread out far too thin. The Senjus have a business interest in many areas like other clans and while they kept things hidden, they did send their own clansmen to oversee things. Civilians, who would be sitting ducks in front of armed assailants if someone is really targetting them.
How to tackle this situation? Easy. When the war occurs, it would be too easy to kill these civilians and the business would be affected either way. So, it was better to call them back for an indefinite vacation while sending genins of genin corps for the task with higher pay. Genin corps could choose a D-rank mission of their liking and the higher pay on their missions meant that these genins would work for them happily. It was a big expenditure, sure... but, Senjus kind of owned Konoha and had a sh*t ton of money that could support the clan even if they didn't do anything for almost 15 years!
It was clear to the eyes of astute ninjas that Tsunade was huddling up. But... again, having learned a lesson, Tsunade gave others not to find a reason to restrict her actions by providing benefits to the village?
What? The Hokage would say no to quick funds? The elders and clan's head would? If they do, they better give a damn good reason for it! And... they didn't have any.
Well, Danzo tried.
"So, is it alright for the founding Shinobi clan to use the Genin Corps as their errands boy?!"
"Better paying jobs and comfortable positions that give them time to train, I'd say it's a damn fine work for one of the TWO founding shinobi clans of the village to look after Konoha's interest at the expense of our personal funds. And I would like to remind everyone that what Senju is for the outside world, happens to be the Uchiha on the inside."
Tsunade smiled and winked at Yata Uchiha who shot a glare at the deflating Danzo. Yata had to admit that because of the actions of one particular bad apple, higher-ups of the village like to find faults with the Uchiha so it felt too good for someone to admit this and that, too, from the Senju Princess no less.
Everyone on the council was beginning to see Mito's shadow in Tsunade even if she won't admit it.
Hiruzen smoked his pipe with a thoughtful hum and continued, "Would you like to expand why the few Senjus from the genin corps and your brother Nawaki are temporarily excused from the force?"
While Tsunade knew she had good reasons before... it was time to be shameless from now on.
Tsunade leaned forward and smiled, "War preparations."
And that silenced others. Again, Senju was preparing for the war to protect Konoha... no faults could be found.
"Then how do you explain experienced Jonins suddenly retiring," Danzo pressed while other elders aside from Kai had their gazes sharpened, "All the Jonins of high experience suddenly leaving the ranks will create problems down the line."
"These experienced Jonins are the ones preparing the kids for war," Tsunade shrugged as others blanched, "Besides, I made sure that none under the age of 50 retired and a substantial unit of Senju nins are still ready to serve the village's needs."
"Um... marry and settle? Oh, they taught us in the academy that a noble can have multiple wives. I would like that please," Kai smiled as if asking for a harem in a supermarket discount sale. But then again, the crazy grinder thought that he deserved nothing less than more for all he had suffered. He died a virgin when he had a willing girlfriend! But the Gamer Mind positively castrated him!
Mito's and Tsunade's glare sharpened and trailed over him before the blonde guffawed, "That'z too goodd!" She slurred a bit, "To see a goddamn talented ninja sucked to a f*cking husk!"
"Shut it," Mito glared at the granddaughter interrupting another round of intimate 'review' of their guardian's performance, "Now, where were we... yes, a harem. Do you understand what a harem means?"
"... girls?"
Tsunade had a hard time controlling her laughter as her disciple replied sweetly. Honestly, if the other pervert known to her could manage to bring such honestly then he may have been a bit tolerable!
"No, boy. Women are vicious. More than animals and beasts. More than men, too, most of the time. How will you control the chain of command amongst such vicious creatures when you have no interest in management."
"Or you could just, you know, find some women for a good pay..." Tsunade smirked. The kids had gone through enough sex ed this year to understand the severity of it all.
Mito's glare quietened the lass and she looked at the dazed Kai.
'She's right... damn, she's right. Even the grind won't help... wait... I never thought of this but... do I get skills for those certain actions?'
Seeing Kai's dumb gaze, a bit of victory flashed in Mito's eyes but then it was snuffed out when she realized the boy was 5 even if he could pass off like 8.
But before she could continue, Kai exclaimed, "I'll just find the top dog for the chain of command, keep her happy and let her handle things."
Mito smirked, "Top dogs aren't easy to find."
"I'll find one." Kai shrugged and leaned back on the couch while sipping on his cup of tea.
"Hmm... I see. That could work and it will not interfere with your loyalty to the Uzumaki and the Senju clans. But that dream is quite something, don't you think?" Mito added.
'I'd say this entire interview was quite something,' Kai rolled his eyes internally.
"Uh... I don't know, maybe it could change. Like Kushina keeps on shouting she'd be the first Lady Hokage but I never saw her work towards that goal... and I'm busy for mine, too. And now war... and I haven't ever been in a war..."
'The missions I would have and juicy SP...'
"Don't worry," Mito smiled and ruffled his hair, "You'll find your top dog when you're grown enough and you'll do well in the war. Don't tell Kushina but I think you'd make a better Hokage since you understand what delegation to the right person means now. Go on, you must have training to do, right? Keep up with your sealing practice."
Kai left soon as Tsunade looked at her grandmother, "What was that? Or better yet, what are you even doing? You made that speech about wanting for someone to inherit your burdens so you can be at peace but all you're doing is... cause mischief! You're even drinking alcohol!"
"Why can't I drink? Hmm? Anyway, Nawaki still hasn't visited me and while I have only met him once, it would do him and your clan some good that it doesn't come to the point that I have to visit YOU."
Tsunade was sure that she saw Mito's violet orbs grow into... life before getting dim again and shuddered.
"Fine! As if you weren't the one who was tired of greeting new family members, right?" Tsunade bit back dryly.
"Exactly, now that you understand, chop-chop, indulge in the wine of your own wares. I have a limited stock," Mito smiled as Tsunade left grumbling.
'Still the top dog,' Mito leaned back with a pleased smirk on her lips.
***
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